Reporte Ilegal - Radio Barrio Listening Party 4-20-13

I spent the 4/20 weekend at REACTION (Mexican Restaurant) in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, CA celebrating the soon-to-be-released Reporte Ilegal LP titled "Radio Barrio".

Reporte Ilegal was created in 1998 in Mexico City, Mexico and currently features Wilson Posada (East Oakland, CA) and Spia104 (Mexico City, Mexico).

They have dropped various projects in both countries and have created their own unique sound by blending electro-hip-hop-punk-cumbia along with their politically conscious lyrics. Their new album "Radio Barrio" features a who's who of special guest including La Changa, Toy Selectah, Hector Guerra, Mexia, Johnny Crooked (Crooked Stilo), Serko Fuentes (G-Lokos / Sonidero Nacional), Pony Boy, Jehuniko, and many more...

Their music video for "REBELDE BARRIO" has been a YouTube sensation with well over 356K views.

The song features a traditional cumbia beat with a mix of Latino hip-hop verses from Wilson Posada, Spia104, and Serko Fuentes of Sonidero Nacional. The track was produced by Monte Alban of RAP Squad with the help of DJ Freddie Future. The chorus features Brown G Gaby Black-Sista and the song features C-Dub from The ILLNESS on the bass and the sound of the guiro courtesy of Juan C from Cumbia Tokezon. The song was meant to be a tribute to the Distrito Federal neighborhoods where Wilson and Spia104 grew up. Now it virally represents neighborhoods across the globe.

On this special night Wilson blessed us with a set from on his new "Barrio Radio" album. This album is something special. With the great response of the crowd, we are all looking forward to the albums official release.

Foto: Raul, Wilson, Mexia and DJ Freddie Future

The night ended with a special guest performance from sibling power-duo, Raul y Mexia of San Jose, California. Raul y Mexia, happen to be the sons of Hernan Hernandez, bassist for the popular norteño musical group Los Tigres del Norte. Their debut album "Arriba y Lejos" was release earlier this year and features production by famed Mexican producer Toy Selectah. Their new single "Las Escondidas" contains the explosive tribal-cumbia sound that many young listeners have grown to love combined with Raul’s romantic-crooner-estilo, which is in sharp contrast to Mexia’s urban-flow. They were a perfect addition to a great night of music, drink, and Mexican food.

Shout outs to DJ El Kool Kyle and DJ Freddie Future for having the music on point and the owner Juan Antontio Villanueva and staff of Reaction Restaurant (2183 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110) for the great food and service.